Charles Leclerc set the fastest lap in the first practice session for the 2025 F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, showcasing a strong start for Ferrari. Ferrari has enjoyed success at this track since its debut on the 2023 calendar, with Leclerc having secured pole position in 2023, though he didn’t convert it into a win. In 2024, Ferrari finished third and fourth, trailing behind both Mercedes drivers.
Leclerc’s nearest competitor in FP1 was Alex Albon, just 0.1 seconds behind, while Yuki Tsunoda outpaced reigning world champion Max Verstappen, marking one of his best outings with Red Bull. Carlos Sainz managed to stay ahead of the championship leader Lando Norris, completing a top-five that included two Williams drivers. The top ten also featured Isaac Hajjar, George Russell, and Kimi Antonelli.
The full FP1 results showed Leclerc in first with a time of 1:34.802, followed by Albon, Tsunoda, Verstappen, and others rounding out the top 20.
Fan Take: This strong showing by Leclerc and Ferrari signals a potential shift in competitive dynamics at Las Vegas, a track that has become pivotal in recent years. Racing fans should keep an eye on how the battle between Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes unfolds here, as it could greatly impact the championship fight.
